Raiders News: Rookie Menelik Watson Impressive In First Start

Menelik WatsonThe NFL preseason has officially come to an end for the Oakland Raiders with the Seattle Seahawks getting the best of the storied NFL franchise in convincing fashion, 22-6.

Heading into the matchup with the Seahawks, all the attention was directed toward Terrelle Pryor and the quarterback controversy brewing in Oakland. Although Pryor stole the show in terms of attention, rookie offensive lineman, Menelik Watson, made his debut with the team playing the left tackle position for the first time in his football career.

Head coach Dennis Allen talked about Watson debut and praised the rookie for his performance via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com:

“I didn’t see guys running around him left and right,” head coach Dennis Allen said. “I didn’t see him make a lot of mental errors. I think that, for the first time out, in this tough environment, he gave us something solid to improve on.”

With starting left tackle Jared Veldheer out for the majority of the upcoming season due to a torn triceps muscle, the Raiders have lost their best player on the offensive line. The void can’t be filled with the talent available on the team, but the Raiders’ coaching staff believes Watson can shoulder the load for the time being.

At this point in time, the Raiders’ situation on the offensive line is anything but ideal. The lost of Veldheer is devastating to say the least, but Watson will likely only improve moving forward and may be able to make things bearable for the team while awaiting the return of Veldheer.